Looking after your tyres on Linlithgow's roads, and what to do safely if you get a flat.
Linlithgow's mix of older town-centre streets and the wider West Lothian roads around it can be tough on tyres. Here's what's worth watching for, and what to do safely if you end up with a flat.
Older streets and tighter corners around the town centre make kerb strikes an easy way to damage a sidewall without noticing straight away, so it's worth taking corners a little wider where you can. Potholes on some of the surrounding West Lothian roads are another common cause of sudden damage — slowing down and steering around them where it's safe to do so reduces the risk.
Checking tyre pressure monthly, and watching for a car pulling to one side or a steering vibration, catches most developing problems before they become a breakdown. If you notice uneven wear across a tyre, it's usually worth having the alignment checked rather than just replacing the tyre and hoping it doesn't happen again.
Pull over somewhere safe as soon as you reasonably can — away from moving traffic if possible — and put your hazard lights on. If you're on a fast road or somewhere that doesn't feel safe to stop, keep going carefully to the next safe place to pull in rather than stopping where you are. We wouldn't recommend attempting a wheel change yourself at the roadside; it's safer to call for mobile help and wait somewhere out of the way of traffic.
See our Linlithgow coverage page for what we offer and how to book, or get in touch with your location and we'll confirm we can reach you and give you an honest estimate of timing.
